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AN APPEAL 



TO 



THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES 



IN BKHALF OF 



THE G-I?,E_^T ST^A^TTJE, 



Liberty Enlightening the World. 



NEW YCRK, 1882. 





THE GREAT STATUE, 
LIBERTY ENLIGHTENING THE WORLD. 



AH APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UHITED STATES. 



DuRENG the summer of 1875 a society was formed in France in order to 
take part in the coming commemoration of the hundi-edth anniversary of our 
National Independence. ' It was called the "Union Franco-Americaine de 
France," and the way in which it proposed to bear witness to its sympathy in 
the great event about to be celebrated in the United States was by the erection 
of a colossal statue in the harbor of New York representing " Liberty En- 
lightening the World." 

Such a statue had been already projected by the eminent sculptor M. 
Bartholdi, and the Franco- American Union undertook to have it executed, 
and, when finished, presented to the people of this country. 

At a banquet, inaugurating the project, eloquent speeches were made by 
several of the most distinguished citizens of France, recalling the ancient 
alhance of the French and American people, and the grand results which have 
made it so memorable for modem civihzation. 

M. Edouard Laboulaye, whose pen has been so often employed in the 
service of hberty and progress, was chosen President, and among the members 
enrolled were found the names of Oscar de Lafayette, Marquis de NoaiUes, 
Marquis de Eochambeau, Count de TocqueviUe, Cornehus De Witt, Henri 
Martin, Paul de'Remusat, and others whose ancestors participated in the 
momentous struggles of our Revolution, or who have since proved them- 
selves the earnest admirers and the steadfast friends of our country and her 
institutions. 

In their first appeal to the French nation these gentlemen sf 
" design is, in remembrance of a gloi-ious anniv '■'^ '-■ 




% 



' monument. We propose to erect in the middle of the fine harbor of New 
' York, on an island belonging to the States of the Union, opposite Long 
' Island, where some of the earliest battles of independence were fought, a 
' gigantic statue, whose frame on the horizon shall be the great cities of 
' New York, Brooklyn and Jersey City. There, on the threshold of the 
' continent so full of a new hfe — where vessels from all parts of the world 
' are constantly passing — it will rise from the bOsom of the wave and represent 
' ' Liberty Enlightening the World.' " 

It was a noble and beautiful conception, and the appeal in its behalf was 
so generously answered from all parts of France that the work was at once 
begun by M. Bartholdi, after his design for it had received the approval of the 
most competent artists and of the pubUc. It contemplated a star crowned 
figure of Liberty, holding a torch in her hand, of the height of about 150 feet, 
posed on a pedestal of nearly equal height. 

The citizens of New York promptly responded to the movement in Paris, 
and at a meeting held in the Century Club, in 1877, they appointed a committee 
to present this great undertaking to the citizens of the whole country, to 
procure the necessary legislation as to the reception and inauguration of the 
statue, and to take means for raising the funds that might be requisite. Of 
this committee, Mr. Wm. M. Evarts was chosen Chairman, Mr. J. W. Pinchot, 
Treasm-er, Mr. Eichard Butler, Secretary, and the following gentlemen were 
then chosen or have since become members : 



MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. 

July 14th, 1884. 



Hon. Wm. M. Evarts, Chairman, 52 Wall St. 
Hon. John Jay, New York Hotel. 
Parke Godwin, Esq., 19 East 37th St. 
Samuel D. Babcock, Esq., 50 Wall St. 
Hon. Wm. H. Wickham, 338 Lexington Av. 
John Taylor Johnston, Esq. , 8 Fifth Av. 
H'y F. Spaukling, Esq., Treasurer, 15 Nassau St. 
Fred'k E. Coudert, Esq., 68 William St. 
James W. Pinchot, Esq., 233 Fifth Av. 
WilUam H. Appleton, Esq., 3 Madison Av. 
Clark BeU, Esq., 128 Broadway. 
Theodore Weston, Esq., 7 West 47th St. 
'-- T Denny, Esq., 6 West 34th St. 
■" Stokes, Esq., 45 WaU St. 
^="- 8SFift> ••'. 



J. Seaver Page, Esq., 13 West 47th St. 
Kichard Butler, Esq., Secretary, 33 Mercer St. 
Worthington Whittridge, Esq., 51 West 10th St. 
Hon. John Bigelow, 21 Gramercy Park. 
George William Curtis, Esq., 331 Pearl St. 
Joseph H. Choate, Esq., 50 West 47th St. 
George W. Quintard, Esq., 43 West 33d St. 
Charles Lanier, Esq., 30 East 37th St. 
Cornelius VanderbOt, Esq., 319 Fifth Av. 
J. Pierrepont Morgan, Esq., 6 East 40th St. 
Gen. Edward F. Noyes, Cincinnati Ohio. 
Hon. George Hoadley, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
John W. Garrett, Esq. , Baltimore, Md. 
Daniel 0. Oilman, Esq., Baltimore, Md., care of 
John Hopkins' University. 

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Geo. W. Chikls, Esq., Pbilada., Pa. 
C. P. Huntiugton, Esq., 63 Park Av. 
Hon. Frederick A. Potts, 39 East 39tli St. 
Hon. Andrew D. White, Cornell University, 

Ithaca, N. Y. 
Kobert Tannabill, Esq., 101 Pearl St. 
Donald MacKay, Esq., 16 Nassau St. 
Joseph W. Drexel, Esq., 103 Madison Av. 
Hon. S. B. Chittenden, Pierreijont St., B'klyn. 
Hon. W. R. Grace, 31 East 38th St. 
Fred'k Billings, Esq., 279 Madison Av. 
Geo. F. Baker, Esq. , 258 Madison Av. 
Henry G. Marquand, Esq., 21 West 20th st. 
George I. Seney, Esq., Remsen St., Brooklyn. 
Samuel McLean, Esq., 47Pierrepout St., B'klyn. 
George Wm. BaOou, Esq., 504 Fifth Av. 
Hon. Noah Davis, 44 West 56th St. 
Joseph W. Harper, Esq., 562 Fifth Av. 
A. S. Barnes, Esq., 533 Clinton Av., Brooklyn. 
Hon. John R. Brady, 19 West 33d St. 
W. W. Shippin, Esq., 126 East 17th St. 
Hon. Courtlandt Parker, Newark, N. J. 
Hon. Charles Seidler, Jersey City, N. J. 
Hon. L. P. Morton, U. S. Minister, Paris. 
C. E. Detmold, Esq., Brevoort House. 
Wm. L. Strong, Esq., 25 West 30th St. 
Brayton Ives, Esq., 4 Broad St. 
George C. Magown, Esq. , Wall and Nassau. 
Cornelius M. Bliss, Esq. , 198 Madison Av. 
Wm. H. Guion, Esq., 5 East 45th St. 
Louis de Bebian, Esq., 22 East 73d St. 
Charles S. Smith, Esq., 25 West 47th St. 
Geo. G. Haven, Esq., 18 Wall St. 
C. C. Baldwin, Esq., 17 East 35th St. 
R. G. Rolston, Esq., 22 West 45th St. 
Gustav Schwab, Esq., 2 Bowling Green. 
Norvin Green, Esq., 26 East 37th St. 
Vernon H. Brown, Esq., 4 Bowling Green. 
F. W. L Hurst, Esq., 615 Fifth Av. 
Commander H. H. Gorringe, 32 Waverly Place. 
M. B. Fielding, Esq., 16 Exchange Place. 
John H. Inman, Esq., 20 West 56th St. 
Ames Van Wart, Esq., 20 East 48th St. 
Henry C. Eno, Esq., 281 Lexington Av. 
Horace B. Claflin, Esq., Pierrepont St., B'klyn. 
Henry Hentz, Esq., 8 South William St. 
Eugene Kelly, Esq., 43 West 51st St. 
L. H. Smith, Esq., 23 WiUiam St. 
V. Mumford Moore, Esq., 44 West 48th St. 
Wm. H. Fogg, Esq., 359 Fifth Av. 
Lyman F. Holman, 25 Whitehall St. 
Daniel F. Appleton, Esq., 5 Bond St. 
Theodore Leggett, Esq., 128 Franklin St. 



Edward F. C. Yonng, Esq., Jersey City, N. J. 

A.M. Palmer, Esq., 56 East 14th St. 

Julien T. Davies, Esq., 2 Wall St. 

Algernon S. Sullivan, Esq., 3 Broad St. 

George R. Blanchard, Esq., 16 Fifth Av. 

W. C. Browning, Esq., 552 Fifth Av. 

Maj. G. L. Gillespie, U. S. A., 33 West 

Houston St. 
M. W. Cooper, Esq., 14 East 28th St. 
Leonard Hazeltine, Esq., 50 East 6l8t St. 
A. D. Juilliard, Esq., 16 West 57th St. 
Jesse Seligman, Esq., 2 East 46th St. 
A. J. Vanderpoel, Esq., 1 West 16th St. 
Percy R. Pyne, Esq., 25 East 22d St. 
Sam'l Sloan, Esq., 21 West 17th St. 
Gen'l J. Warren Keifer, Springfield, Ohio. 
Hon. Chas. W. Constan tine, Springfield, Ohio. 
Hon. Lewis V. Gunkel, Dayton, Ohio. 
Hon. Goo. W. Houck, Dayton, Ohio. 
Hon . Richard C. Parsons, Cleveland, Ohio . 
Hon. George H. Ely, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Hon. Charles Foster, Columbus, Ohio. 
Hon. Allen G. Thurman, Columbus, Ohio. 
Hon. B. M. Colver, Sandusky, Ohio. 
Fred'k W. Alvord, Esq., Sandusky, Ohio. 
Hon. Albert G . Porter, Indianapolis, Ind . 
Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, Indianapolis, Ind . 
Hon. Jo.seph E. McDonald, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Hon. E. B. Martindale, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Gen. John C. Lee, Toledo, Ohio. 
Chas. H. Scribner, Esq. , Toledo, Ohio . 
Hon. Thos. R. Cobb, Vincennes, Ohio. 
Hon. Henry S. Canthorn, Vincennes, Ohio. 
Hon. Robt. G. Evans, Vincennes, Ohio. 
Geo. G. Riley, Esq., Vincennes, Ohio. 
Royal E. PurceU, Esq., Vincennes, Ohio. 
Smiley N. Chambers, Esq., Vincennes, Ohio. 
Col. Cyrus K. Drew, EvansviUe, Ind. 
Hon. J. G. Shanklin, EvansviUe, Ind. 
Col. Chas. H. Butterfield, EvansviUe, Ind . 
Hon. Daniel B. Kumler, EvansviUe, Ind . 
Thomas E. Garvin, Esq., EvansviUe, Ind. 
Hon . Rich'd W. Thompson, Terre Haut«, Ind. 
Hon. Dan. W. Voorhies, Terre Haute, Ind. 
Col. Thos. H. Nelson, Terre Haute, Ind. 
Wm. R. McKeen, Esq., Terre Haute, Ind. 
D. M. MiushaU, Esq., Terre Haute, Ind. 
Wm. C. BaU, Esq., Terre Haute, Ind. 
Benj. F. Loutham, Esq., Logansport, Ind. 
Quincy A. Myers, Esq., Logansport, Ind. 
Walter A . Osmer, Esq. , Logansport, Ind . 
Hon. W. S. Lingle, Lafayette, Ind. 
Hon. F. E. D. McGinley, Lafayette, Ind. 



^^^j-:.£t^ V'^ 



Moses Fowler, Esq., Lafayette, Ind . 
Cyrenius Johnson, Esq., Lafayette, Ind. 
Hon. W. D. Foulke, Richmond, Ind. 
Hon. Isaac Jenkinson, Richmond, Ind. 
Hon. Chas. H. Burchard, Richmond, Ind. 
L. C. Abbott, Esq., Richmond, Ind. 
Hon. Washington C. De Pauw, New Albany, Ind. 
Hon . Geo . V . Houck, New Albany, Ind. 
Hon . John B . Winstandley, New Albany, Ind . 
W. 0. Culbertson, Esq., New Albany, Ind. 
Col. M. M. Hurley, New Albany, Ind. 
Hon. Chas. D. Jacob, Louisville, Ky . 
Hon . Isaac Caldwell, Louisville, Ky . 
Col . Sam'l B . ChurchiU, Louisville, Ky . 
Col. Andrew Cowan, Louisville, Ky . 
Col. Robt. M. Kelly, Louisville, Ky. 

B. Du Pont, Esq., Louisville, Ky. 

Walter N. Halderman, Esq., LouisviUe, Ky. 
Jno. E. Green, Esq., Louisville, Ky. 

C . E . Sears, Esq. , Louisville, Ky . 
Hon . Jas . F . Joy, Detroit, Mich . 
Hon. Henry P. Baldwin, Detroit, Mich. 
Hon. Geo. V. N. Lathroii, Detroit, Mich. 
Hon. Jno. S. Newberry, Detroit, Mich. 
Hon. Christian H. Buhl, Detroit, Mich. 
Hon . Theodore H . Hinchman, Detroit, Mich . 
Gen'l Russel A . Alger, Detroit, Mich . 
Rufus W. Gillett, Esq., Detroit, Mich. 
Henry W. Ledyard, Esq. , Detroit, Mich . 
Don M. Dickinsen, Esq., Detroit, Mich . 
Hon, Wm. L. Webber, East Saginaw, Mich. 
Hon. RosweU G. Horr, East Saginaw, Mich. 
Hon . Jno . S . Estabrook, East Saginaw, Mich . 
Dr. Henry C. Potter, East Saginaw, Mich. 
Joseph A. Wittier, Esq., East Saginaw, Mich. 
Hon . David H . Jerome. Saginaw City, Mich . 
Benton Hanchett, Esq. , Saginaw City, Mich . 
Geo. L. Burrows, Esq., Saginaw City, Mich. 
Ezra Rust, Esq. , Saginaw City, Mich . 

Rev. A. F. Bruske, Saginaw City, Ind. 

Hon. James Birney, Bay City, Mich. 

Hon. Nathan B. Bradley, Bay City, Mich. 

Hon. Hershel H. Hatch, Bay City, Mich. 

Hon. James Shearer, Bay City, Mich. 

Hon. Thomas A. E. Weadock, Bay City, Mich. 

Thomas Cranage, Jr., Esq., Bay City, Mich. 

Archibald N. McDonnell, Esq. , Bay City, Mich. 

Harry P. Merill, Esq., Bay City, Mich. 

Andrew C. Maxwell, Esq., Bay City, Mich. 

Hon. George H. Durand, Flint, Mich. 

Hon. Josiah W. Begole, Flint, Mich. 

Hon. Sumner Howard, Flint, Mich . 

Hon. George E. Taylor, FHnt, Mich. 



Hon. William A. Atwood, Flint, Mich. 
Col. C. H. Thompson, Flint, Mich. 
Wm. L. Smith, Esq., FHnt, Mich. 
A. A. Thompson, M. D., Flint, Mich. 
Hon. Lyman D. Norris, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Hon. Julius Houseman, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Hon. Thomas D. Gilbert, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Col. George G. Briggs, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Harvey J. HoUister, Esq. , Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Henry Spring, Esq., Grand Rapids, Mich. 
George W. Gay, Esq. , Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Samuel L. Fuller, Esq., Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Noyes L. Avery, Esq., Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Wilder D. Stevens, Esq. , Grand Rapids, Mich. 
John Patton, Jr., Esq., Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Hon. Chas. E. Stuart, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Hon. Hezekiah G. Wells, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Col. Francis B. Stockbridge, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Hon. Peyton Raaney, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Hon. Edward W. De Yoe, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Hon. Thomas S. Cobb, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Dr. Foster Pratt, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
William L. Eaton, Esq., Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Edwin M. Irish, Esq., Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Hon. Henry A. Hay den, Jackson, Mich. 
Hon. James O. Donnell, Jackson, Mich. 
Hon. William D. Thompson, Jackson, Mich. 
Hon. Augu.st Blair, Jackson, Mich. 
Gen. William H. Withington, Jackson, Mich. 
Col. M, Shoemaker, Jackson, Mich. 
Hon. James B. Angell, Ann Arbor, Mich. 
Hon. Thomas M. Cooley, Ann Arbor, Mich. 
Hon. Clement Studebaker, South Bend, Ind. 
Hon. Thos. S. Stanfield, South Bend, Ind. 
Hon. Schuyler Colfax, South Bend, Ind. 
Hon. John Brownfield, South Bend, Ind. 
Hon. Levi J. Ham, South Bend, Ind. 
Alfred B. Miller, Esq., South Bend, Ind. 
John B. Stott, Esq., South Bend, lud. 
Chauncey N. Fassett, Esq., South Bend, Ind. 
L. Q. Leiter, Esq., Chicago, 111. 
J. W. Doane, Esq , Chicago, El. 
Genl. Anson Stager, Chicago, 111. 
Hon. C. B. Farwell, Chicago, 111. 
Edson Keith, Esq., Chicago, 111. 
Potter Palmer, Esq., Chicago, 111. 
Hon. R. W. Dunham, Chicago, 111. 
Hon. Jesse Sisauldiug, Chicago, lU. 
Erskine M. Phelps, Esq., Chicago, 111. 
J. B. Hobbs, Esq., Chicago, 111. 
Hon. Horace Rublee, Milwaukee, Wis. 
Hon. Chas. L. Colby, Milwaukee, Wis. 
Hon. Alexander Mitchell, Milwaukee, Wis. 



Hon. Philip V. Deuster, Milwaukee, Wis. 
Col. E. H. Broadhead, Milwaukee, Wis. 
Capt. Fred'k Pabst, Milwaukee, Wis. 
Charles Ray, Esq., Blilwaukee, Wis. 
Edward Sanderson, Esq. , Milwaukee, Wis. 
John Johnston, Esq., Milwaukee, Wis. 
Wm. Plimkiugton, Esq., Milwaukee, Wis. 
Col. John G. McMynn, Kacine, Wis. 
Hon. Massena B. Erskine, Racine, Wis. 
Hon. Titus G. Fish, Racine, Wis. 
Hon. Carl Jonas, Racine, Wis. 
W. T. Lewis, Esq., Racine, Wis. 
E. G. Durant, Esq., Racine, Wis. 
E. J. Heuffner, Esq., Racine, Wis. 
Hon. Jeremiah M. Rusk, ]\Iadison, Wis. 
Gen. Lucius Fairchild, Madison, Wis. 
Col. Wm. F. Vilaa, Madison, Wis. 
Gen. David Atwood, Madison, Wis. 
Gen. Geo. C. Brjant, Madison, Wis. 
Gen. Edward E. Bryant, Madison, Wis. 
Hon. N. B. Van Slyke, Madison, Wis. 
Hon. E. W. Keyes, Madison, Wis. 
Hon. J. C. Gregory, Madison, Wis. 
Hon. Burr W. Jones, Madison, Wis. 
Hon. M. M. Jackson, Madison, Wis. 
Hon. James Conklin, Madison, Wis . 
L. S. Hanks, Esq., Madison, Wis. 
Breese J. Stevens, Esq. , Madison, Wis. 
Hon. Hamilton Richardson, Janesville, Wis . 
Major J. W. St. John, Janesville, Wis. 
Hon. Cyrus Miner, Janesville, Wis . 
Hon. John Winans, Janesville, Wis . 



Major S. 8. Rockwood, Janesville, Wis. 

Judge J. R. Bennett, Janesville, Wis. 

G. C. McLean, Esq., Janesville, Wis. 

Gen. Henry Palmer, Janesville, Wis . 

Hon. T. T. Croft, Janesville, Wis. 

Capt. E. B. Eddy, Fargo, D. T. 

Hon. G. S. Barnes, Fargo, D. T. 

Major R. E. Fleming, Fargo, D. T. 

Capt. J. A. Johnson, Fargo, D. T. 

Maj. A. W. Edwards, Fargo, D. T. 

Hon . James B . Montgomery, Portland, Oregon. 

Rev. Wm. N. Bunnell, 292 Henry St. 

Hon. John M. Hamilton, Springfield, 111. 

Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, St. Louis, Mo. 

Hon. Arnold Kreckel, Kansas City, Mo. 

Col. Thos. S. Case, Kansas City, Mo. 

F. L. Underwood, Esq., Kansas City, Mo. 

Hon. Thos. F. Crittenden, Jefferson City, Mo. 

John B. Waddill, Esq., Jefferson City, Mo. 

W. A. P. McDonald, Esq., St. Joseph, Mo. 

Hon. Jas. W. Dawes, Lincoln, Neb. 

Sam'l D. Cox, Esq., Lincoln, Neb. 

John R. Clark, Esq., Lincoln, Neb. 

Hon. Geo. W. Glick, Topeka, Kansas. 

M. O'Brien, Esq., Topeka, Kansas. 

Hon. C. G. Foster, Topeka, Kansas. 

Hon. William Hale, Cheyenne, W. T. 

Col. A. T. Babbitt, Cheyenne, W. T. 

Hon. James B. Grant, Denver, Col. 

D. H. Moffat, Esq., Denver, Col. 

W. D. Todd, Esq., Denver, Col. 



A sub-committee of this general committee, consisting of Messi-s. Wm. M. 
Evarts, Ex. -Gov. E. D. Morgan, Parke Godwin, Clark Bell and J. W. Pinchot, 
was charged with the duty of procuring the necessary legislation, and obtained 
from Congress, on the recommendation of President Hayes, the passage of the 
following joint resolution : 



-Joint Eesolution authorizing the President to designate and set apart a site 
for the colossal statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World," and to 
provide for the permanent maintenance and preservation thereof. 

" Whereas, The Pre-sident has communicated to Congress the information 
that citizens of the French Republic propose to commemorate the one hundredth 
anniversary of our independence by erecting, at their own cost, a colossal 
bronze statue of 'Liberty Enlightening the World,' upon a pedestal of 



suitable proportions, to be built by private subscription, upon one of the islands 
belonging to the United States in the harbor of New York ; and 

Whereas, It is proper to provide for the care and preservation of this 
grand monument of art, and of the abiding friendship of our ancient ally ; 
therefore, be it 

Resolved, By the Senate and House of Eepresentatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, that the President of the United 
States be and he is hereby authorized and directed to accept the colossal statue 
of ' Liberty Enlightening the World,' when presented by citizens of the 
French Eepublic, and to designate and set apart for the erection thereof a 
suitable site upon either Governor's or Bedloe's Island, in the harbor of New 
York ; and upon the completion thereof shall cause the same to be inaugurated 
with such ceremonies as will serve to testify the gratitude of our people for 
this expressive and felicitous memorial of the sympathy of the citizens of our 
sister Eepublic ; and he is hereby authorized to cause suitable regulations to 
be made for its future maintenance as a beacon, and for the permanent care 
and preservation thereof as a monument of art, and of the continued good-will 
of the great nation which aided us in our struggle for freedom. " 

In pursuance of the power thus entrusted to him, the President authorized 
Gen. Wm. T. Sherman to designate one of the two places mentioned which he 
should think best fitted for the purpose, and Gen. Sherman, after a careful 
inspection of the locality, fixed upon Bedloe's Island, not only as well, but as 
admirably suited to the design. 

Owing to the occurrence of political troubles in France, the collection of 
funds for the statue was for a time delayed ; but all obstacles have since been 
overcome ; the necessary money, about the sum of two hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars, has been secured, and the statue wiU soon be completed. 
It only remains for the American people, in recognition of this noble expression 
of regard and sympathy on the part of the French jieople, to provide for the 
reception and inauguration of a work of art which will at once form an 
impressive ornament to the entrance of the commercial metropolis of the 
Union, and answer a useful purpose as a beacon or a signal station, and prove 
for the entire nation an enduring record of the early, existing, and, let us 
hope, lasting friendship of the two great Eepublics of the nineteenth century. 

The undersigned were appointed a committee to commend the project to 
the concurrence and co-operation of their feUow-countrymen, and in pursuance 
of their task they propose to circulate in aU the great cities and towns of the 
United States a series of subscription papers, soliciting a general assistance. 
In order that all classes of citizens may be enabled to take part in this grand, 



■^ 



patriotic enterprise, subscriptions to any amount, however large or however 
small, will be gladly received by the committee. Not only individual citizens, 
but Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade, Exchanges, Tradesmen's and 
Mechanics' Associations and Social Clubs, and other legal or voluntary 
organizations, are particularly requested to interest themselves in the further- 
ance of our object. 

The committee feel assured that the American people will be only too 
eager to testify their grateful sense of the friendliness of this magnanimous 
offer on the part of the French people, and to reciprocate the kindly and liberal 
sentiments in which it originated, by a prompt acceptance of it and an active 
prosecution of the labors that may be required to give to the statue an appro- 
priate setting and pedestal. 

Upon a careful inquiry, under the most competent and trustworthy advice, 
the committee are of opinion that the erection of a pedestal, comporting with 
the vast proportions of the statue, and in solidity and dignity worthy to be its 
enduring support, in whose structure every unnecessary expense will be 
spared, will cost about an equal amount with the statue. The contribution 
by our people of its moiety of the munificence of the two nations is alone 
needed to crown the splendors of the great harbor of this continent with this 
imperishable monument and decoration. 

Although the cities, New York, Brooklyn, Jersey City and Hoboken, 
which surround the grand harbor chosen for the site, are primarily interested 
in the success of what we have every reason to believe will become a new 
Wonder of the World, the subject addresses itself also to the patriotic sentiment 
of the whole nation. Having recently celebrated at Yorktown the acliieve- 
ments of French and American valor in the War of Independence, it will be a 
fitting close to those imposing ceremonies to give permanence, we might 
almost say eternity, to the memories awakened on the occasion by the erection 
of this stupendous image of 

" Liberty Enlightening the World." 

WM. M. EVARTS, 
EDWIN D. MORGAN, 
PARKE GODWIN, 

Cotmnittee. 




Since the foregoing appeal was printed the practical management of tlie 
affairs of the Pedestal was entrusted by the General Committee to the under- 
signed, an Executive Committee. 

Under the auspices of this Committee Mr. Eichard M. Hunt was appointed 
Architect and General Charles P. Stone, formerly of the United States Army, 
the Engineer-in-Chief. 

As soon as the requisite funds were received the work was begun ou 
Bedloe's Island, contracts were entered into with the lowest bidders for the 
removal of the buildings in the interior of the fort there, and for the construc- 
tion of the concrete or beton base of the Pedestal, work upon which began 
October 9, 1883, and was finished May 17, 1884. 

This base, it may be said, is one solid stone, ninety-one feet square at the 
bottom and sixty-seven feet square at its completed height of fifty-two feet ten 
inches, having an interior shaft ten feet square. The material used in its struct- 
ure exceeds 23, .500 tons net weight. 

Upon this foundation the granite work of the Pedestal is begun, to be con- 
tinued until it reaches 114 feet above the beton base. When at that height it 
will be ready for the Colossal Statue of Liberty, which is one hundred and 
fifty-one feet and already finished. It was ceremoniously presented by the 
people of France to the people of the United States through Mr. L. P. Morton, 
our Minister at Paris, on the ith of July of this year. The French Govern- 
ment on that occasion promised to transport it to our shores in one of its vessels 
of war. 

Our Minister, Mr. Morton, was instructed by our Government to express 
the high appreciation of the American people for this grand manifestation of 
tlie enduring friendship and continued sympathy of the people of France, our 
earhest allies in our struggle for freedom a century ago. 

Congress, by its appropriation of Fort Wood and Bedloe's Island for the 
Statue of Liberty, and its covenant to maintain it permanently as an evidence 
of the good-will subsisting between the two great Eepublics, has made a 
contribution nearly equal to $1,500,000 in money value, and has trusted to 
the sentiments of patriotism and gi-atitude of the people to contribute about 



one-fifth of that amount for a suitable foundation and Pedestal for this colossal 
Tvonder of the world. 

More than one-half of the sum required to complete the latter work has 
already been paid in, and has been, nearly all of it, judiciously and economically 
expended in carrying out the general purpose. Had the needed money been 
more promptly contributed it would have considerably lessened the expenses 
of the enterprise in the end. 

Preparations are being made to lay the corner-stone of the Pedestal on the 
5th day of August, and the sum of $120,000 is still required to make it ready 
for the Statue. 

The interior structure and bracings of the Statue, to hold it securely in its 
place, will, it is estimated, cost 8-0,000, and the further amount of 825, UOO will 
be needed for putting it in position, including incidental outlays preparatory 
to its inauguration. 

Of the money thus far received more than ninety per cent, has been given 
in New York and its immediate vicinity, in sums ranging from $6,000, $5,0(i0, 
$2,500, $1,000, $500 and downwards to one dollar and less. Next to this the 
greatest interest manifested in the undertaking has been shown by officers and 
soldiers of the Eegular Army and the Grand Army of the Eepubh'c, whose 
modest contributions and Uvely interest, from far and near, the Committee 
gratefully acknowledge ; as weU as the $1,500 contributed by the Seventh 
Eegiment and Veterans N. Gr. S. N. Y. 

It has been said regarding this enterprise, that "as New York is to have 
the Statue let her pay for it !" To such comments we must answer, that the 
Statue is the gift of France to our whole people, and belongs to the Nation, 
not to New York. Congress had to designate a suitable site for it somewhere, 
and chose an island in our metropolitan harbor and in face of the great revo- 
lutionary battle scenes of Long Island. It would be arrogance on the part of 
New York to provide for all its cost, and then to claim the monument as her 
own ! 

More than a quarter of a million of the people of France, animated by 
this sentiment of Liberty Enlightening the World, gave expression, at a cost 
of more than $250,000, to their amity for the people of the United States, and 
to then- memory of ' ' auld lang syne !" 

The aim of the American Committee is to have it said of the Pedestal that 
it was erected by the many and not by the few. With that end in view we 
confidently appeal to the people of every State of the Union to organize proper 
sub-committees for the purpose of raising the funds necessary for the speedy 
completion of the Pedestal, and by so doing give evidence of their appreciation 



10 



of the early friendship of the people of France, without which this great and 
prosperous nation would not have existed as ' ' The United States of America, " 
with a " Liberty that Enlightens the World !" 

WM. M. EVAETS, President, 
JOSEPH W. DREXEL, Chairman, 
PAEKE GODWIN, 
FRED'K A. POTTS, 
J. W. PINCHOT, 
V. MUMFOED MOOEE, 
RICHAED BUTLEE, Secretary, 
HENEY F. SPAULDING, Treasurer, 



Executive 
Committee, d~c. 



New York, July, 1884. 



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LIBRftRV OF CONGRESS 




